The national average price of gasoline reached $4.08 per gallon in August 2022, according to GasBuddy data. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said on Tuesday that Americans could see new all-time records for August prices within about a week, including levels above those recorded in 2022.
According to De Haan, gasoline prices are expected to reach their highest level ever for that date by August 5. In early August 2022, the national average was slightly above $4 per gallon before falling below that level by mid-August, reaching the lowest point since early March of that year.
The rise in fuel prices comes as President Donald Trump faces renewed pressure over affordability. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to bring gasoline prices below $2 per gallon. Prices had fallen close to that goal when the national average reached $3 in December 2025, before rising again after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28.
Gas Prices Climb Nationwide as California Remains the Most Expensive State
According to the latest data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average gasoline price stood at $4.091 per gallon on Wednesday morning. That figure was up from $3.860 a month earlier and $3.137 a year earlier.
California continued to have the highest average gas price in the country, with drivers paying $5.646 per gallon. The state average increased from $5.455 a month earlier and from $4.473 a year earlier. California’s higher prices are linked to higher taxes, strict environmental rules, and fuel supply chains that are more isolated than in many other parts of the country.
Washington and Hawaii also recorded average prices above $5 per gallon. Washington’s average was $5.119 on Wednesday, while Hawaii’s stood at $5.458.
Three additional states reported average prices above $4.50 per gallon: Alaska at $4.722, Nevada at $4.807, and Oregon at $4.640. At the other end of the ranking, North Carolina had the lowest average price at $3.773, followed by Arkansas at $3.788, Missouri at $3.831, and Ohio at $3.857. Even in those states, prices were close to or more than $1 higher than a year earlier.
Middle East Conflict Adds Pressure To Fuel Costs
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan said the unresolved conflict in the Middle East was contributing to continued pressure on gasoline prices. In a post on X this week, De Haan noted that the national average price of gasoline had never remained above $4 per gallon after August 8 in any calendar year, adding that the current situation could challenge that pattern.
According to De Haan, Americans were already spending $356 million more on gasoline than they were a year earlier. The increase has added pressure to household budgets as fuel costs rise alongside concerns about everyday expenses.
A Harris Poll/Guardian survey published earlier this month found that around half of Democrats, Republicans, and independents said they were struggling to afford daily necessities such as gasoline and groceries. The survey, conducted online among 4,100 U.S. adults between May 28 and June 6, found that 52 percent of respondents were having difficulty paying for gas, making it the most unaffordable item among those listed.
ICK: in ~7 days, you're going to see new all-time records set for highest August gas prices ever- even compared to 2022. At the current $4.08/gal, August 5th will be the date we're able to say the national average is at its highest level ever for the date.
— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) July 29, 2026
Rising Fuel Costs Create Political Challenges Over Affordability
The increase in gasoline prices has become a political issue for the Trump administration, which has focused heavily on affordability. During Joe Biden’s presidency, gas prices reached a record national average above $5 per gallon in June 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supply and production disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current rise has complicated Trump’s message on reducing costs for Americans. The president has continued to blame inflation on his predecessor, but higher gasoline prices could affect public perceptions of his economic policies.
According to the Harris Poll/Guardian survey, 95 percent of Americans said the country was facing an affordability crisis, while two-thirds said they had little confidence in the federal government’s ability to solve the problem. The survey also found that 49 percent of Republican voters shared that lack of confidence.
Trump’s approval rating has also declined. A new Economist/YouGov poll released on Tuesday showed that 62 percent of Americans disapproved of how he was handling his role as president, adding another challenge as fuel prices remain a major concern for households.
